Working to Restore the Newell's Shearwater and Hawaiian Petrel (09:00)

Overview

Strategically exercising his enforcement authority, Special Agent Keith Swindle has brought legal action to bear on chronic violations of the Endangered Species Act in Hawaii, particularly on behalf of the threatened Newell's shearwater. Collaborating with stakeholders, he brought about the first significant reductions in the major cause of the decline of the shearwater and other night-flying birds—their attraction to artificial lights and related collisions with power lines in the urbanized areas of Kauai. Agent Swindle's approach has also generated partnerships with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, American Bird Conservancy, Hawaii Department of Fish and Wildlife, Hawaii Department of Transportation, County of Kauai, Hawaii State House Representative Mina Morita, and private businesses such as Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, and Norwegian Cruise Lines.